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*REVIEW* Sony TV's Pehredaar Piya Ki deserves a fair chance, and here is why.
LINK: Pehredaar Piya Ki Deserves a fair Chance and here is why!!! BY TELLY TADKA
The show has been at the receiving end of strong criticisms from day one and we wonder if the viewers and everyone who has been criticizing the show jumped the gun?
For starters the concept of an older woman marrying a young boy regardless of the idea/thought behind such a decision is not being done for the first time on Indian TV . You read that right. This is NOT an out of the box concept. Shocked??? Read On!!!
Star Plus show Gulaal starring Manasi Parekh in the titular role of Gulaal - the lead protagonist, gets married to her brother-in-law Kesar (Ali Haji) a young boy of twelve through the custom called Deeyar Vatu. As per this tradition- which interestingly is still practiced in some parts of India; a widow is encouraged to marry her brother-in-law. Gulal had two brothers-in-law - an older Dushyant of marriageable age (Sushant Singh) and a young boy Kesar. While everyone assumed Gulaal to marry Dushyant, she chose to marry Kesar after suspecting Dushyant's involvement in the death of her husband Vasant (Rahil Azam) and also to keep Kesar safe.
Like we mentioned above, the reasons or the ideas/thoughts behind such an action may be different and specific to the story lines of either shows. But if something like this can be shown in Gulaal released seven years back and accepted with patience and grace; then why is Pehredaar Piya Ki denied a fair chance? It is said that one should not judge a book by its cover and keeping that in mind we drill down a few reasons as to why this show deserves a chance before the jumping to conclusions of any kind.
Set in Rajasthan the show opens with an introduction of Surajgarh's lavish Kesar Mahal and the royalty family. Maan Singh, his wife Padma and young son Ratan of age 9 is introduced; and few minutes into the show and the audience are made aware of the dangers lurking around the young prince of Surajgarh. Padma suspects the Choti Thakurain aka Ratan's Kaki MaaSa (Aunt) behind the attempts on Ratan's life but as of now they are just that -suspicions. We are then introduced to Maan Singh's friend Sajjan Singh, his wife and his 18 year old lovely daughter Diya. Ratan (Afaan Khan) sees Diya (Tejaswi Prakash Wayangankar) and is smitten by the 'Pari' he believes her to be (Thanks to Kaki Maasa's recordings) which is quite symbolic too. Ratan is seen stalking and clicking pictures of Diya imagining her to be his lady love. We also see the young Ratan propose marriage to Diya which she and everybody else jokes about and casts aside. The viewers are also made aware of a past incident where Maan Singh saved Diya's life already hinting towards an obligation angle.
As the show progresses we see Kunwar Abhay's (Suyyash Rai) marriage proposal coming for Diya and everybody happily agreeing to the same. However en route to the engagement venue an attempt is made on the life of Ratan who is the sole heir of all the royal wealth and properties. This changes the everything including Diya and Abhay's engagement which is called off. With Padma being killed in a car blast that was meant to end the whole family including Ratan, Maan Singh who suffers extensive injuries and is on his death bed requests Diya to marry Ratan to keep him safe. In an interesting sequence Maan explains why Diya has to marry Ratan to keep him safe. He also points out how Diya managed to save Ratan's life twice in 2 days as if it is an indication that she is chosen to be Ratan's protector. Reminiscing how once Maan Singh saved her life, Diya agrees to the marriage; and so Ratan and Diya are married making Diya her Piya's Pehredaar (Husband's Protector).
This is simply a quick rundown of the major events that happened so far. If the viewers and everyone who has been criticizing the show just because of the promos, news articles etc. showed the heart to sit through and watch the opening week's episodes, they would easily understand that in spite of some flaws in the writing and execution of a hand full of scenes; the show beautifully answers the zillion questions one may have had while watching the promos that went on air. We know why Diya marries Ratan. We know why Ratan who is merely a boy of 9 years ensures that Diya's maang is filled with sindoor and why Diya seems to be pleased with the action and many more.
A scene that irked most is the one where Ratan stalks Diya and 'apparently' falls in love - 'Love at first sight' and keeps talking about marrying her and looks and behaves as tough in love. In his 9 year old mind he believes it to be love but does it really have to be? Can't it be infatuation? There are several shows and movies which show the male lead or female lead talking about how they had crush on their school teachers, instructors etc. when young. Also there are tons of movies and shows where a young child saying very determinedly says that he/she will one day marry so and so person who usually is much older that them or an older person jokingly saying that the young girl/boy is their girlfriend/boyfriend. Kal Ho Na Ho anyone? Remember Aman and Gia?
Younger boys and girls developing a crush on people who are much older to them is something that happens in real life too. Then why the hulla? Having said that what makes it hard to accept and approve the scene of Ratan stalking Diya, taking her pictures, the trip, fall and catch etc. is the way these scenes was executed. The wrong execution of a scene can send the wrong message and vice-versa. Ratan believes Diya to be the 'Pari' that his Kaki Maasa mentioned about through her story recordings and symbolically it has been proved that Diya is indeed Ratan's guardian angel. But what would have created a greater impact was Ratan dealing with it as a young child fascinated by the Pari in his stories coming alive instead of how it was shown. It should have been treated with more of a childish innocence. Romanticizing the relation at this early age definitely leaves a bad taste in your mouth and should have been avoided. However Diya and the rest of the family members reaction to Ratan's marriage proposals and ideas looked realistic. Haven't we seen elders laughing and casting off such an idea as a childish crush? Who lashes out at a child for such a thing anyways?
In a brilliantly written scene (Dialogue writer take a bow!!!) that shows Maan Singh on his deathbed, the viewers questions regarding the odd union of Diya and Ratan are answered without leaving any stones unturned. Maan explains why Diya had to become Ratan's wife by stating it to be the only relationship which gives one equal rights. And in this context if Diya were to be Ratan's Pehredaar she needed those rights. A marriage in this context not only affirms Diya's entry into Ratan's home and life' but also gives her the liberty to interfere/take decisions/make decisions regarding any aspect of his life especially matters related to his safety. A wife is not bound by any limitations that other relationship may have. If Ratan's parents were alive then it would have been a different ball game. But with their death and Ratan's own extended family allegedly wanting him dead; Maan Singh wanted Ratan's safety in the hands of person who would not only safe-guard it but also wasn't bound by any limitations when it came to safe-guarding it. And who better than an Ardhangini (Wife) to fulfill such a responsibility? Additionally, a marriage makes Diya the custodian of Ratan's vast empire until he becomes of a legal age to assume control and inherit what is rightfully his. If Ratan is killed before he reaches the legal age everything will automatically go to Diya because she is his wife. So with relatives who are nothing but vultures ready to prey on Ratan, this marriage gives Diya unlimited power to keep Ratan safe till he can take care of himself in every way possible. Maan Singh really played the last game of his life like a true Rajput. Check Mate!!!
Viewers also had an issue with a 9-year-old boy filling sindoor in his 18-year-old bride's hairline (maang). What several viewers perceived as crass was justified through one of the episodes aired where Maan Singh on his death bed asks Ratan to promise that he will always respect and protect Diya like a true Rajput. It is this promise that we see in the promo when Ratan fills Diya's maang with sindoor which is a sign of a married woman. Applying sindoor also has a symbolic meaning - while the color red symbolizes power, vermilion is considered to be a symbol of the female energy of Goddess Parvati who according to mythology is considered to be powerful enough to even protect her husband Mahadev who as we all know is Devon Ke Dev. Something that goes quite well with the Pehredaar character Diya is playing ...don't you think?
Simply by looking at the first week of the show and the performance of the cast we at spamdomain feel that viewers should definitely give Pehredaar Piya Ki a chance. The show has just started and needs time to open up. Also this is the same Production House that gave us memorable shows like Punar Vivaah, Tumhari Paakhi and of course who can forget the iconic Diya aur Baati Hum? So doesn't it deserve a fair chance?
Authors: Shreya P. and Vijitha R.
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